Four Robeson bridges set to be replaced

RALEIGH — Four Robeson County bridges are among seven set to be replaced throughout the region, according to a statement from the Department of Transportation.

The bridges to be replaced locally are on Barker Ten Mile Road, over Big Marsh Swamp; on South Robeson Road, over Aaron Swamp; on Back Swamp Road, over the Lumber River; and on Mercer Mill Road, over Jackson Swamp.

“The seven bridges are each considered functionally obsolete and structurally deficient. This means they remain safe for travel, but are in deteriorating condition and need to be replaced. They were also built to design standards that are no longer used for bridges. The new bridges will meet future travel demands,” the statement says.

The DOT awarded a $5.4 million contract to Smith-Rowe LLC of Mount Airy to replace the bridges. Two are located in Bladen County and a third is in Cumberland County.

Work on the bridges could begin as soon as Aug. 29 and is expected to be completed by Oct. 15, 2019.

According to the DOT, the state’s 2016-2017 budget increases bridge repair and replacement funding by 58 percent, to $242 million.

“Replacing older and obsolete bridges to improve access through communities is a key part of Governor [Pat] McCrory’s 25-year transportation vision to better connect North Carolinians to jobs, education, healthcare and recreation,” the statement said.